The United States condemns the “arbitrary" arrest and forced resignation of Mali Interim Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra and repeats the demand by the international community for an end to the junta's interference in the country's political affairs, the State Department said Tuesday. “These events endanger the anticipated national dialogue and unhelpfully delay a return to constitutional order, and the restoration of the territorial integrity of Mali," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement. “They are a clear reminder of the need to hold elections to restore a democratically elected government by April 2013 or as soon as technically feasible." “We underline the importance of the respect for rule of law and the guarantee of personal security for all political actors and members of government," Nuland said.
